Western Gull looking for dinner in the surf of the Pacific OceanGot a crab!He keep dropping this crab in the ocean and picking it up again“I think I will go eat it now!”Can just make out a crab leg
Photos taken, August 3, 2014, while we were staying at Fort Steven’s State Park in Astoria, Oregon.
Joining Stewart at http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com/2014/09/wild-bird-wednesday-112-kittiwake-black.html
We arrived at Nehalem Bay State Park on Wednesday. Upon arriving we experienced something that has never happened to us during the seven years we have had our coach. We could not maneuver into our reserved site. We tired several times, even going around the RV loop trying to position the coach just right. NO GO!
The roads are narrow within most of Oregon’s State Parks and the campground roads in Nehalem Bay are no exception. These beautiful state parks are old and designed for much smaller rigs.
There were three trees that prohibited us from backing into our site. Two were on either side of site F05 and one was on the opposite side of the road. Prior to booking our sites, we always look at photos of them on the web and this one seemed fine.
Oregon’s Coastal Highway 101 is a curvy, hilly, narrow road and as you travel along you go through many small towns. These towns have speed limits of 25 miles an hour. During the summer months there are lots of people and lots of traffic.
All of the state parks we have stayed in on this trip, have been FULL, including Nehalem Bay, with the Campground Full sign being posted very day!
The milage from South Beach to Nehalem was about 100 miles, not much, but given these conditions my driver was tired. We didn’t want to leave Nehalem Bay and try to find somewhere to spend the night. Needless to say this would have changed our plans. We were upset!
Nehalem Bay has SOME very nice sites that will accommodate 40 foot rigs, but you must make sure, prior to booking, that you will fit into a site. F05 was long enough, but we could not swing wide enough to get in!
We drove back to the Ranger Station and explained our situation. They assigned us a site that they hold open for emergency purposes. We thank them very much and we are very happy with the site we were given!
Staying at Nehalem Bay State Park gave us the opportunity to walk on the beach, hike to the Bay, and visit Tillamook to the south and Canon Beach to the north, all of which we enjoyed.
Today, we drove to Cape Meares and walked around in the clouds! We then stopped at the Tillamook Cheese Factory and ate cheese (I did, Howard doesn’t like cheese, can you believe that?) and ice cream. A fun day!
In the morning we head to Fort Steven’s State Park.
The beach at Nehalem Bay State Park
Canon Beach
I add this photo of a Red Crossbill that I spotted while parked at a pull-out, on our way to Canon Beach. It isn’t a good photo, because I was too far away. He was perched atop a huge pine tree with the ocean in the background. However, I was so excited to have spotted the Crossbill, because it has been many, many years since I have seen one.
From our coach to the beach is only a short .25 mile walk. Every morning and evening we had our pick of trails to hike. Some would take us to the beach, some to South Jetty, and some through the heavily wooded forest.
A short sandy trail to the ocean once you leave the paved trail.South Jetty in the distanceSouth Beach (entry from South Jetty). Lots of horseback riders use this trail to ride on the beach.
The forest is filled with Sitka Pines, Huckleberry and Twin Berry bushes and numerous other species of plants. We enjoyed hiking all the many trails, but the heavily forested ones, following the ridge line high above the ocean and the campground, were our favorite. We didn’t bring our bikes on this trip and have been wishing we would have, because the park offers miles of paved biking trails.
Beautiful old growth trees!
The ocean never seems to tire of sending its cool breeze inland and with it cool temperatures. It has rarely been above 70 during the day, dipping down into the 50’s at night. With gorgeous sunny days, except for occasional clouds that seem to float in and out, we have enjoyed our visit in Newport, Oregon.
Fog rolling in this morning
South Beach State Park is probably the largest state park we have ever stayed in with 225 electrical and water sites, 60 tent sites and 27 Yurts. For us it is a tad too big. If you plan a visit to South Beach State Park book your reservations early, because it is a very popular park and full most of the time.
Sharing a trail. At least it was colorful!Watching the waves!
A different view of the Yaquinta Bay Bridge
South Beach is a beautiful state park, extremely well taken care of, as are all Oregon state parks, with lots to do in the surrounding area.
A visit to Hatfield Marine Science Center with my science guy!
A fun place to visit!
My Science Guy
In the morning we say goodbye to South Beach State Park and head north on Hwy 101.
Yaquinta Bay Bridge (famous arch bridge just south of Newport, OR)Fishing vessel followed by Coast Guard boat coming into the Bay from the oceanYaquinta BayColorful boats docked at the BayfrontThe historic Bayfront. Largest commercial frishing port in Oregon.Bayfront, Newport, Oregon
Howard and Sheila with Yaquina Bay Bridge in the backgroundI had Fish (Halibut) Tacos, Howard had fried Shrimp (he asked if they would fry them! ) Thank goodness these fishing boats go out everyday!
During the summer 65,000, of the birds listed below, claim Yaquina Head Natural Area as home. They spend the spring and summer breeding, nesting and raising their chicks on these bluffs.
`Common Murre
`Brandt’s and Pelagic Cormorants
`Pigeon Guillemots
`Western and Glaucous-winged Gulls
I have never seen so many Murres before our visit to Yaquina Head Natural Area. My photo of the single Common Murre was taken at the South Jetty of Yaquina Bay while on a hike from South Beach State Park.
First there was one…..Then there were thousands….
One of the Islands covered with nesting birdsCommon Murre Kites“Make room”Sees me taking a photoDecides to show off a littleGoes all out for the visiting lady from ColoradoBrandt’s CormorantFeeding BabiesI think this gull wants to be feedLove
Wolf Song Blog 